April showers mean May flowers, but it also means graduation season is around the corner.
Soon-to-be high school and college graduates alike are getting ready to toss their caps in the Springfield area.
Here’s a look at when and where graduations will be held.
College and university graduations
Illinois College
Where: King Field House, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
When: Sunday, May 3 at 1 p.m.
University of Illinois Springfield
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, May 9
Around 1,100 students will be participating in the ceremony.
Tickets are free and issued to graduating students directly. Tickets are required to attend until 15 minutes prior to each ceremony.
Greetings will be provided by campus and University of Illinois System representatives. There will not be a primary speaker.
Lincoln Land Community College
When: Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
842 students applied for graduation though around 315 will be participating in the ceremony itself.
Tickets are not required.
The student speaker will be Alexis Bowman. She will be graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in construction management.
The honored alum will be Patrick Pianezza, who is a film producer. Pianezza earned an Associate of Science in biology. He also earned certificates in Emergency Medical Technician and his paramedic certificate.
St. John’s College of Nursing
Where: Dove Conference Center at Prairie Cardiovascular, 619 E. Mason St., Springfield
When: Friday, May 15
59 students will be graduating.
Graduation is ticketed but there is no charge for the tickets.
SIU School of Medicine
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Degrees will be awarded to 70 medical students and two graduate students.
No tickets are required. The commencement speaker will be Dean Jerry Kruse. The student speaker will be Madison Stacey, who is the chair of the Class of 2026.
Blackburn College
Where: Hudson Quad
When: Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 am.
Around 91 graduates are expected to complete their degree requirements and will be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Tickets are not required.
Kahindo Mateene ‘99, an award-winning fashion designer, entrepreneur, and alumna of the College, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Midwest Technical Institute
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S Dirksen Parkway, Springfield
When: Thursday, June 4 at 6 p.m.
Around 244 students will be invited to walk at the spring graduation.
No ticket is required and admission is free. Each graduate is allowed a maximum of eight guests.
High school graduations
Jacksonville High School
Where: The BowlÂ
When: Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
Lutheran High School
Where: Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Road, Springfield
When: Saturday, May 16 at 12:30
Tickets are not required.
Williamsville High School
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Sunday, May 17 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Rochester High School
Where: Rocket Booster Stadium
When: Sunday, May 17 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
When: Sunday, May 17 at noon, according to the high school’s website.
Auburn High School
Where: Auburn High School
When: Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Riverton High School
Where: Hawk Center Gymnasium
When: Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Calvary Academy
Where: 1730 W. Jefferson St.
When: Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Springfield High School
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, June 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Springfield Southeast High
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, June 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Glenwood High School
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, June 6 from 8 to 9 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
Lanphier High School
Where: Bank of Springfield Center
When: Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets are not required.
(This story was updated because a previous version included an inaccuracy.)
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: College, high school ceremonies scheduled in Springfield area
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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